From Sinan to Calatrava: Istanbul’s Bridges & Waterworks

Examine Istanbul’s relationship with water from an architectural perspective. From the Bosphorus bridges to Byzantine aqueducts, from Ottoman fountains to modern marinas — water and architecture are in Istanbul’s DNA. The tour begins at the Valens Aqueduct — a structure dating back to the 4th century that still stands today. Then, walking along the Kağıthane Stream, you’ll see Ottoman-era dams and waterways. Descending to the Golden Horn, you’ll compare the Atatürk Bridge, Galata Bridge, and the Golden Horn Metro Bridge. Different eras’ engineering approaches, material choices, and aesthetic sensibilities. Final stop: newly built modern structures along the Golden Horn waterfront and Istanbul’s forward-looking vision for water architecture.